International cooperation

Card 13INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION№1 1. Do you know what countries have cross-cultural relationship with Belarus?2. Is it important for Belarus to organise international events?3. What questions will you ask your American friend who wants to become a diplomat?4. Give advice to your friend who is hosting a foreign student.5. You would like to take part in a student exchange programme. Find out which options you would be fit for. In your opinion, in which areas could Belarus cooperate with other countries?№21. Tell me how Belarus develops economic relations with other countries.2. Do you know any international events that take place in Belarus?3. You are going to travel to Britain as an exchange student. Ask questions about the exchange programme.4. What can you advise your British friend who wants to learn the Russian/Belarusian language?5. Social networking is a convenient way to keep in touch with foreign friends and a good possibility to develop cooperation. What do you think about it?№31. Do you know what twin towns and sister cities in Belarus and England are?2. Is Belarus a member of some international organisations?3. What questions will you ask your friend who is interested in a student exchange programme?4. Your American friend is preparing a lecture on the geographical position of Belarus. Give him/her some advice.5. The member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have signed many agreements for economic cooperation and defense cooperation. What do you think about it?​

Card 13 (mix)

1. Tell me how Belarus develops economic relations with other countries.​2. Do you know any international events that take place in Belarus?3. You are going to travel to Britain as an exchange student. Ask questions about the exchange programme.4. Give advice to your friend who is hosting a foreign student.5. Social networking is a convenient way to keep in touch with foreign friends and a good possibility to develop cooperation. What do you think about it?​

Ситуации

2.1First of all, I'd like to mention, that it is impossible to build strong economic relations without reliable political ties.After declaration of its independence in 1991, in the result of the collapse of the USSR, Belarus developed its foreign policy course under difficult conditions. Despite objective difficulties, the independent Republic of Belarus managed to develop its international relations without sacrificing [жертовать] its national interests. Today Belarus maintains [поддерживать] diplomatic relations with 177 countries of the world and is represented by foreign offices in 58 states.

​Belarus has trade relations with more than 200 countries around the world. It is developing economic cooperation with neighbouring post-Soviet states and with foreign partners from all over the world . ​Firstly, Belarus holds an active position in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).​Russia is Belarus’ major partner on financial, energy and security matters. Belarus is reliant [зависеть от ] on Russia to meet its energy needs and remains an important part of Russia’s gas corridor to Western Europe. Together with Russia and Kazakhstan Belarus signed the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) treaty. The focus of the EEU is on creating a common market for goods, services, capital and labour.

Secondly, an important trade partner and a source of investments for Belarus is the European Union. Unfortunately, the relations between the EU and Belarus are rather tense. Belarus is not going to join the EU anytime soon because of Russian dependence on its economy and for its national safety.​Thirdly, Belarus cooperates with such countries as Germany, Denmark, France, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, and many others. А new level of cooperation has been achieved with the countries of the so called “far arc”: Asia, Africa and Latin America. Belarus also develops economic relations with China.

​2.2 In 2010 Minsk hosted Junior Eurovision Song Contest which took place in Minsk-Arena. And in 2014 our capital drew crowds due to the the World Ice Hockey Championship. The main venues were Minsk-Arena and Chizhovka-Arena. Belarus Fashion Week is held in Minsk every year since 2010. I can't but mention the International Festival of Arts “Slavyansky Bazaar in Vitebsk”, an open mass event, which helps to revive and promote culture and arts.

2.3How long does the program take? What are the costs?Do I have to speak a second language to study abroad?Where will I live during my exchange programme?

3. 2. As a co-founder of the United Nations Belarus contacts with various institutions and organizations of the United Nations, World Bank, World Health Organization, International Labor Organization, UNESCO, etc. ​http://mfa.gov.by/en/organizations/membership/

[The Republic of Belarus is a member of such international organisations as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environmental Programme, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the World Health Organisation, and many others.]​1.4Try to be kind and supportive. Begin communicating with him/her before he/she arrives! Show your student around your hometown. Share your own experience with the student.​ Encourage your student to get involved in sports and clubs.

2.5 The use of Social Networking Services (SNS) – such as Facebook.com and Twitter.com – has become a popular and integral part of everyday communication. Almost all young people are online using the Internet daily. People use social networking to keep in touch with their friends from all over the world. But social networking is also very useful for companies to keep in touch with their customers and get some important information about them.

Let’s talk about Belarus. What do you know about the activities of our country on the international arena?

Belarus is a country of developed industry, education and culture. As a sovereign country, Belarus is a member of such international organizations as the European-Asian Economic Union and the United Nations Organization (the UNO).

Belarus takes part in different international business, political and cultural seminars and conferences. ​Such Belarusian festivals as Belarus Fashion Week and the International Festival of Arts "Slavyansky Bazaar" are well-known all over the world.

Slavyansky Bazaar promotes culture and art. The goal of this festival is to support young talents. During this spectacular cultural event you may visit concerts of foreign music stars, a traditional fair of folk crafts "Town of Masters”, the International Investment Forum and Children's Contest. The motto of this festival is "Through art to peace and understanding".

​As you see, Belarus tries to be active on the international arena.

If we speak about “international cooperation” we mean, first of all, political, economic and cultural relationships with different countries.I’d like to say a few words about each of them.We are proud to say that Belarus is among the countries with highly developed industry. We export our heavy trucks, tractors, milk and meat products to Russia, the Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania etc. Our import includes clothes from China; fruit from Turkey; coffee from Brazil; metal, gas and oil from Russia etc. This is an example of economic cooperation. One example of political cooperation is our assistance in the attempts to solve the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.The brilliant example of cultural cooperation is “Slaviansky Bazaar” when people forget the conflicts between their countries. They just meet and show their talents, enjoy each other’s company and make friends.​

From: Your English Exam Support, pp.65-66

Abbreviations

the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was created in December 1991. ​

The Eurasian Economic Union (officially EAEU, but sometimes called EEU or EAU) is a political and economic union of states located primarily in northern Eurasia. EEU was established on 29 May 2014 by the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, and came into force on 1 January 2015.

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network. UNDP works to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through the sustainable development of nations, in more than 170 countries and territories.